Suspension system.

ABSTRACT

A suspension system for a drapery item in which the drapery item and a suspension element are provided with magnetically attracting elements. The suspension system also provides mechanical interference to assist in countering forces exerted on the drapery item so that the drapery item is not solely supported by magnetic attraction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to suspension systems for suspending an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many suspended items, such as draperies and similar items, may require periodic maintenance or cleaning. In many settings, removing the item from a suspension device and reinstalling the item afterwards may be time consuming or present risks of injury.

Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to provide novel suspension systems. An object of the present invention is to provide such suspension systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, there is provided a suspension system for a drapery item, comprising: an elongated guide and a plurality of sliders, each slider including a base mounted to the elongated guide and movable therealong and a slider attachment extending from the base, the slider attachment being provided with a slider magnetic element; and a plurality of drapery magnetic elements mountable to the drapery item and spaced apart locations along a top end thereof, the slider and drapery magnetic elements being magnetically attracted to each other.

In another broad aspect, there is provided an assembly, comprising: a drapery item suspended substantially vertically, the drapery item being provided with a plurality of drapery magnetic elements mounted to the drapery item at spaced apart locations along a top end portion thereof; an elongated guide; and a plurality of sliders mountable along the elongated guide, each slider including a base and a slider attachment extending from the base, the base being mountable to the guide so as to be movable therealong, the slider attachment being provided with a slider magnetic element, the slider magnetic elements being configured for magnetically attracting the drapery magnetic elements. The slider attachments each define a receiving portion adjacent the slider magnetic element removably receiving at least part of a respective one of the drapery magnetic elements thereinto, the drapery magnetic elements being removable from the receiving portion by pulling substantially horizontally thereonto, and vertical movements of the drapery magnetic elements relative to the receiving portion being prevented through mechanical interference between the drapery magnetic elements and the receiving portion while the drapery magnetic element is received in the receiving portion.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the slider attachment defines a recess delimited by an end wall and a peripheral wall extending therefrom, a recess aperture leading into the recess opposite the end wall, the slider magnetic element being provided at the end wall, and the peripheral wall defining the receiving portion.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the slider attachment is rotatable relative to the base about a substantially vertical rotation axis.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the slider magnetic elements each include a magnet.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the drapery magnetic elements each include a ferromagnetic material.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the drapery magnetic elements are riveted to the ribbon.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the guide includes an elongated wire, and the base defines a mounting aperture receiving the wire thereinto so that the base is slidable along the wire.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the drapery magnetic elements are mounted to a ribbon, the ribbon being mounted to the drapery item.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the drapery item is a curtain.

There may also be provided an assembly wherein the drapery and slider magnetic elements abut against each other at a location substantially vertically aligned with the guide.

In yet another broad aspect, there is provided a suspension kit for a drapery item, comprising: a plurality of drapery magnetic elements mountable to the drapery item at spaced apart locations along a top end portion thereof; an elongated guide; and a plurality of sliders mounted along the elongated guide, each slider including a base and a slider attachment extending from the base, the base being mounted to the guide so as to be movable therealong, the slider attachment being provided with a slider magnetic element, the slider magnetic elements being configured for magnetically attracting the drapery magnetic elements. The slider attachments each define a receiving portion adjacent the slider magnetic element for removably receiving at least part of a respective one of the drapery magnetic elements thereinto after the drapery magnetic elements have been mounted to the drapery item. In operation, with the sliders mounted to the guide and the drapery magnetic elements received in a respective one of the receiving portions, the drapery magnetic elements are removable from the receiving portion by pulling substantially horizontally thereonto, and vertical movements of the drapery magnetic elements relative to the receiving portion are prevented through mechanical interference between the drapery magnetic elements and the receiving portion.

There may also be provided a suspension kit wherein the slider attachment defines a recess delimited by an end wall and a peripheral wall extending therefrom, a recess aperture leading into the recess opposite the end wall, the slider magnetic element being provided at the end wall, and the peripheral wall defining the receiving portion.

There may also be provided a suspension kit wherein the slider attachment is rotatable relative to the base about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the recess.

There may also be provided a suspension kit wherein the rotation axis is substantially parallel to a free surface of the slider magnetic element and extends substantially adjacent thereto.

There may also be provided a suspension kit wherein the slider magnetic elements each include a magnet and the drapery magnetic elements each include a ferromagnetic material.

There may also be provided a suspension kit wherein the drapery magnetic elements are mounted to a ribbon mountable to the drapery item.

There may also be provided a suspension kit wherein the guide includes an elongated wire, and the base defines a mounting aperture for receiving the wire thereinto so that the base is slidable along the wire.

In yet another broad aspect, there is provided a suspension assembly for suspending a drapery item therefrom, the drapery item being provided with a plurality of drapery magnetic elements mounted to the drapery item at spaced apart locations along a top end portion thereof, the suspension assembly comprising: an elongated guide; a plurality of sliders mounted along the elongated guide, each slider including a base and a slider attachment rotatably mounted to the base for rotating about a rotation axis, the base being mounted to the guide so as to be movable therealong, the slider attachment defining a recess extending substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and delimited by an end wall and a peripheral wall extending therefrom, a recess aperture leading into the recess opposite the end wall, a slider magnetic element being provided in the recess adjacent the end wall, the slider magnetic elements being configured for magnetically attracting the drapery magnetic elements, the recess being configured for at least partially receiving removably a respective one of the drapery magnetic elements thereinto through the recess aperture.

There may also be provided a suspension assembly wherein the slider magnetic elements each include a magnet.

There may also be provided a suspension assembly wherein the guide includes an elongated wire, and the base defines a mounting aperture receiving the wire thereinto so that the base is slidable along the wire, the rotation axis intersecting the mounting aperture.

Advantageously, the proposed system facilitates installation and removal of the drapery item from the sliders, while enduring that the drapery item is not easily accidentally detached from the suspension system. Also, the proposed system can be relatively easily manufactured at relatively low cost, and can be retrofitted to most drapery items.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1, in a perspective view, illustrates an assembly including a suspension system and a drapery item suspended to the suspension system;

FIG. 2, in a perspective exploded view with parts removed, illustrates the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, in a side elevation view with parts removed, illustrates the assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4, in a cross-sectional view along section line A-A of FIG. 3, illustrates the suspension system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terms such as “substantially”, “about” and “essentially” are used throughout this document to indicate variations in the thus qualified terms. These variations are variations that do not materially affect the manner in which the invention works and can be due, for example, to uncertainty in manufacturing processes or to small deviations from a nominal value or ideal shape that do not cause significant changes to the invention. These variations are to be interpreted from the point of view of the person skilled in the art.

Also, directional terminology, such as bottom and top, refers to use of a drapery item suspended vertically from above and hanging freely. This reference configuration is for reference and convenience purposes and should not be used to restrict the scope of the claims unless explicitly required by the structure of a specific claim.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an assembly including a suspension system 10 and a drapery item 12, the latter being only shown partially in FIG. 1. The drapery item 12 is typically made of fabric or a similarly flexible material and is typically suspended substantially vertically. A specific and non-limiting example of a drapery item 12 usable with the present suspension system 10 is a curtain.

The suspension system 10 includes an elongated guide 14 and a plurality of sliders 16. The guide 14 may be rectilinear or curved. Each slider 16 includes a base 18 mounted to the elongated guide 14 and movable therealong and a slider attachment 20 extending from the base 18. The slider attachment 20 is provided with a slider magnetic element 22, better seen for example in FIGS. 2 and 4. A plurality of drapery magnetic elements 24, also better seen for example in FIGS. 2 and 4, are mounted to the drapery item 12 and spaced apart locations along a top end portion 26 thereof. The slider and drapery magnetic elements 22 and 24 are magnetically attracted to each other.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the slider magnetic elements 22 are magnets and the drapery magnetic elements 24 include a ferromagnetic material. For example, the slider magnetic elements 22 are cylindrical magnets and the drapery magnetic elements 24 are rings made of a ferromagnetic metal. However, in alternative embodiments, the slider and drapery magnetic elements 22 and 24 may both each include a magnet, of the slider magnetic elements 22 may be ferromagnetic and the drapery magnetic elements 24 may be magnets.

The guide 14 and base 18 may take any suitable form. For example, the guide 14 is an elongated wire and the bases 18 are mounted at longitudinally spaced apart locations on the wire passing through a mounting aperture 28 extending through the base 18 and allowing the base 18 to slide along the guide 14. However, any other suitable guide and base combination is usable, including for example a base having a roller mounted on a guide in the form of a rail, among other possibilities.

The slider attachment 20 is secured to the base 18. Referring to FIG. 4, the slider attachments 20 each define a receiving portion 35 adjacent the slider magnetic element 22 removably receiving at least part of a respective one of the drapery magnetic elements 24 thereinto when the drapery item 12 is suspended from the suspension system 12. The drapery magnetic elements 24 are removable from the receiving portion 35 by pulling substantially horizontally thereonto, along a longitudinal axis of the recess 30, and vertical movements of the drapery magnetic elements 22 relative to the receiving portion 35 are prevented through mechanical interference between the drapery magnetic elements 24 and the receiving portion 35 while the drapery magnetic element 24 is received in the receiving portion 35.

For example, the slider attachment 20 defines a recess aperture 32 leading into a recess 30 opening generally horizontally when the slider 16 is mounted to the guide 14 in an operational configuration. The recess 30 is delimited by an end wall 31 opposed to the recess aperture 32 and a peripheral wall 33 extending therefrom. The slider magnetic element 22 is provided inside the recess 30 and is small enough that the slider magnetic element 22 does not reach the recess aperture 32. In alternative embodiments, The slider magnetic element may also be embedded in the end wall 31 or define in itself the end wall, and either none, part or all of the peripheral wall 33. Thus, part of the peripheral wall 33 can form the receiving portion 35 as the recess 30 is not filled by the slider magnetic element 22, so that the drapery magnetic element 24 is at least partially received in the recess 30. However, in alternative embodiments, the receiving portion does not need to be a complete cylindrical shell, and by include instead prongs, fingers or similar structures extending generally horizontally and delimiting a region where the drapery magnetic elements 24 may be received.

To ensure that the drapery item 12 is close to the guide 14, and that therefore the slider 16 is suspended substantially vertically, which minimizes the pull on the slider and drapery magnetic elements 22 and 24 in use by the drapery item 12, the recess 30 typically extends deep enough that the slider and drapery magnetic elements 22 and 24 abut against each other and are on opposite sides of a vertical line extending through the guide 14, so that the interface between the slider and drapery magnetic elements 22 and 24 is substantially vertically aligned with the guide 14. Thus, the recess 30 is deep enough that the center of gravity of the drapery item 12 is at or close to a vertical plane extending through the guide 14.

The magnetic attraction between the slider and drapery magnetic elements 22 and 24 helps in maintaining at least part of the drapery magnetic element 24 in the recess 30, so that mechanical interference between the drapery magnetic element 24 and the periphery of the recess 30 helps in supporting the drapery item 12. Thus, the drapery item 12 is not supported only by magnetic forces, but also through the mechanical interference between the drapery magnetic element 24 and the receiving portion 35. Typically, the recess 30 has a depth such that the drapery magnetic element 24 is substantially entirely received in the recess 30, but this is not necessarily the case in all embodiments.

This arrangement solidifies the connection between the slider and drapery magnetic elements 22 and 24, so that the relatively large forces that can be exerted on the drapery item 12 in regular use, notably vertically and horizontally parallel to the guide 14, are not countered solely by magnetic attraction, but by much stronger mechanical interference. However, when one wishes to remove the drapery item 12, a relatively small pulling force horizontally, perpendicular to the guide for example, will suffice.

In some embodiments, the slider attachment 20 is pivotally mounted to the base 18 so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical rotation axis 34 relative thereto. Thus, in such embodiments, the recess 30 opens in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 34. As illustrated in FIG. 4, such rotation may be achieved through a flared portion 36 of the base 18 being received in a flared recess 38 provided in the slider attachment 20, among other possibilities. More specifically, in an example of such embodiments, the base 18 is terminated downwardly by a cylindrical leg 46, which itself is terminated by an annular foot 48 of a diameter larger than the diameter of the leg 46. The slider attachment 20 defines a cavity 50 receiving the foot 48, typically substantially snugly, and an aperture 52 leading into the cavity 50. The aperture 52 has a diameter larger or similar to that of the leg 46, but smaller than the diameter of the foot 48 and the leg 46 is inserted through the aperture 52.

In some embodiments, the drapery magnetic elements 24 are all mounted at longitudinally spaced apart locations along an elongated flexible ribbon 40, for example using rivets 42, the ribbon 40 being sewn or otherwise mounted, for example through an adhesive, to the drapery item 12, along the top end portion 26 thereof.

When the suspension system 10 is manufactured, in some embodiments, the drapery magnetic elements 24 are first secured to the ribbon 40. The resulting item can the be retrofitted to existing drapery items 12, or secured to a drapery item 12 specifically manufactured for use with the suspension system 10. However, securing drapery magnetic elements 24 to the drapery item 12 directly individually is also possible. The guide 14 and associated sliders 16 are then installed at a suitable location, with the wire in a substantially taut state. To mount the drapery item 12 to the guide 14, one simply approaches in succession the drapery magnetic elements 24 adjacent to successive slider magnetic elements 22, facing the opening 32. Magnetic attraction with the slider magnetic elements 22 then attracts the drapery magnetic elements 24 inside the recesses 30. Once a drapery magnetic element 24 has been received inside a respective recess 30, a relatively large force can be exerted thereonto perpendicular to the axis of the recess 30 as the drapery magnetic element 24 is prevented to exit the recess 30 perpendicularly to the line joining the slider and drapery magnetic elements 22 and 24. To remove the drapery item 12, one simply pulls each drapery magnetic element 24 out of the recess 30, one after the other. Thus, installation and removal of the drapery item 12 can be performed relatively quickly and without the injury risks and drapery item 12 damages risks that may be present if press buttons were used. Also, if one to accidentally pull strongly on the drapery item 12, it is likely that the drapery item 12 would simply detach from the sliders 16, without any damage to the drapery item 12 or to the suspension system 10.

In some embodiments, the slider attachments 20 may rotate relatively easily relative to the bases 18, so that when the sliders 16 are moved adjacent to each other, such as when one pulls a curtain towards the side of a window, the slider attachments 20 rotate so that the slider magnetic elements 22 are all oriented similarly. Due to the magnetic field generated by the slider magnetic elements 22, the sliders 16 are then attracted to each other, which helps in maintaining the sliders 16 in contact with each other. This prevents the drapery item 12 from extending back slightly towards an expanded configuration, and helps in creating a pleasant aesthetic aspect in which folds in the drapery item are all of similar appearance.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The present invention can thus be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly, comprising: a drapery item suspended substantially vertically, the drapery item being provided with a plurality of drapery magnetic elements mounted to the drapery item at spaced apart locations along a top end portion thereof; an elongated guide; and a plurality of sliders mounted along the elongated guide, each slider including a base and a slider attachment extending from the base, the base being mounted to the guide so as to be movable therealong, the slider attachment being provided with a slider magnetic element, the slider magnetic elements being configured for magnetically attracting the drapery magnetic elements; wherein the slider attachments each define a receiving portion adjacent the slider magnetic element removably receiving at least part of a respective one of the drapery magnetic elements thereinto, the drapery magnetic elements being removable from the receiving portion by pulling substantially horizontally thereonto, and vertical movements of the drapery magnetic elements relative to the receiving portion being prevented through mechanical interference between the drapery magnetic elements and the receiving portion while the drapery magnetic element is received in the receiving portion.
 2. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the slider attachment defines a recess delimited by an end wall and a peripheral wall extending therefrom, a recess aperture leading into the recess opposite the end wall, the slider magnetic element being provided at the end wall, and the peripheral wall defining the receiving portion.
 3. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the slider attachment is rotatable relative to the base about a substantially vertical rotation axis.
 4. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the slider magnetic elements each include a magnet.
 5. The assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the drapery magnetic elements each include a ferromagnetic material.
 6. The assembly as defined in claim 5, wherein the drapery magnetic elements are riveted to the ribbon.
 7. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the guide includes an elongated wire, and the base defines a mounting aperture receiving the wire thereinto so that the base is slidable along the wire.
 8. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the drapery magnetic elements are mounted to a ribbon, the ribbon being mounted to the drapery item.
 9. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the drapery item is a curtain.
 10. The assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the drapery and slider magnetic elements abut against each other at a location substantially vertically aligned with the guide.
 11. A suspension kit for a drapery item, comprising: a plurality of drapery magnetic elements mountable to the drapery item at spaced apart locations along a top end portion thereof; an elongated guide; a plurality of sliders mountable along the elongated guide, each slider including a base and a slider attachment extending from the base, the base being mountable to the guide so as to be movable therealong, the slider attachment being provided with a slider magnetic element, the slider magnetic elements being configured for magnetically attracting the drapery magnetic elements; wherein the slider attachments each define a receiving portion adjacent the slider magnetic element for removably receiving at least part of a respective one of the drapery magnetic elements thereinto after the drapery magnetic elements have been mounted to the drapery item; and wherein, in operation with the sliders mounted to the guide and the drapery magnetic elements received in a respective one of the receiving portions, the drapery magnetic elements are removable from the receiving portion by pulling substantially horizontally thereonto, and vertical movements of the drapery magnetic elements relative to the receiving portion are prevented through mechanical interference between the drapery magnetic elements and the receiving portion.
 12. The suspension kit as defined in claim 11, wherein the slider attachment defines a recess delimited by an end wall and a peripheral wall extending therefrom, a recess aperture leading into the recess opposite the end wall, the slider magnetic element being provided at the end wall, and the peripheral wall defining the receiving portion.
 13. The suspension kit as defined in claim 12, wherein the slider attachment is rotatable relative to the base about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the recess.
 14. The suspension kit as defined in claim 13, wherein the rotation axis is substantially parallel to a free surface of the slider magnetic element and extends substantially adjacent thereto.
 15. The suspension kit as defined in claim 11, wherein the slider magnetic elements each include a magnet and the drapery magnetic elements each include a ferromagnetic material.
 16. The suspension kit as defined in claim 11, wherein the drapery magnetic elements are mounted to a ribbon mountable to the drapery item.
 17. The suspension kit as defined in claim 11, wherein the guide includes an elongated wire, and the base defines a mounting aperture for receiving the wire thereinto so that the base is slidable along the wire.
 18. A suspension assembly for suspending a drapery item therefrom, the drapery item being provided with a plurality of drapery magnetic elements mounted to the drapery item at spaced apart locations along a top end portion thereof, the suspension assembly comprising: an elongated guide; a plurality of sliders mounted along the elongated guide, each slider including a base and a slider attachment rotatably mounted to the base for rotating about a rotation axis, the base being mounted to the guide so as to be movable therealong, the slider attachment defining a recess extending substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and delimited by an end wall and a peripheral wall extending therefrom, a recess aperture leading into the recess opposite the end wall, a slider magnetic element being provided in the recess adjacent the end wall, the slider magnetic elements being configured for magnetically attracting the drapery magnetic elements, the recess being configured for at least partially receiving removably a respective one of the drapery magnetic elements thereinto through the recess aperture;
 19. The suspension assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein the slider magnetic elements each include a magnet.
 20. The suspension assembly as defined in claim 18, wherein the guide includes an elongated wire, and the base defines a mounting aperture receiving the wire thereinto so that the base is slidable along the wire, the rotation axis intersecting the mounting aperture. 